PCL Canada, United Way Ottawa and Ottawa Community Housing Partner up to Build New Gazebo

(OTTAWA) August 31, 2016 – Today, the tenants of Ottawa Community Housing’s Golden Manor community saw their dream of having a gazebo realized. PCL Constructors Canada’s (PCL) Hard Hat Heroes fund granted $35,000 to Ottawa Community Housing to go toward building the gazebo. This is the second initiative of the fund since its inception earlier this year. PCL, United Way Ottawa and funded partners Ottawa Community Housing Foundation (OCHF) and Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) worked together on the construction of this project.
The beautification initiative was led by an OCH senior tenants’ group and supported by employees who place a great value on tenant engagement and inspiring a pride of place. Strong partnerships such as this one between United Way Ottawa, PCL, OCHF and OCH, are key to strengthening communities across Ottawa.

OCH staff and partners works closely together to create a place that the whole community can be proud of and enjoy for years to come.

The gazebo was made possible thanks to Hard Hat Heroes – a new fund created by PCL and United Way Ottawa. The dollars raised for this fund were contributed by PCL employees through their annual charitable campaign contributions.

PCL employees recognize that coworkers, neighbours, and families all benefit from living in healthier, stronger communities, and help bring this about by providing financial support to United Way Ottawa. United Way Ottawa’s mission is to bring people and resources together to build a strong, healthy, safe community for all.

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I am so excited to see this project come to fruition. It took a lot of hard work and dedication from everyone involved. OCH took the time to listen to our idea and made sure it was carried through to completion. Thank you to United Way Ottawa and PCL Construction, without your funding from Hard Hat Heroes none of this would have been possible. This gazebo will be a marvelous gathering spot for all our activities.

OCH is proud to support the efforts of its engaged and dedicated tenants to beautify their communities and have a strong sense of pride of place. The gazebo required dedication from all the partners and tenants in the design, build and opening processes. It represents the positive ways that partnerships between strong and committed parties benefit not only the individual community but the City of Ottawa at large.

The Golden Manor gazebo is a great addition to the community. Our engaged and knowledgeable tenants brought the idea forward and with our partners’ help we were able to complete it. This is a truly unique, collaborative project between OCH, United Way Ottawa and PCL Constructors – we are excited to work with partners who are as committed to building strong, inclusive communities as OCH is.

One of the main goals of Ottawa Community Housing Foundation is promoting healthy living to all tenants. OCHF worked closely with Ottawa Community Housing to determine the best use of the funds granted from the amazing Hard Hat Heroes grant. We are very proud to be able to provide the tenants in the Golden Manor community with this gazebo which will help them build and lead healthier lives.

“PCL employees want to make a difference by contributing to their communities, and partnering with the United Way has once again allowed us to help make an impact. Providing the seniors with an area where they can socialize and enjoy the outdoors is important to both their physical and mental health.”

Kevin Skinner, Vice-President & District Manager, PCL

“As a result of the dedicated energy and enthusiasm of our PCL employees, the Golden Manor Gazebo was chosen to give the tenants a communal space to enjoy the outdoors and encourage community celebrations. We would like to thank all of our collective partners who were instrumental in bringing this project to fruition.”

Bryce Howchin, Project Manager for PCL

“We know that one in three seniors are at risk of being socially isolated, so neighbourhood hubs like this gazebo are essential to help seniors meet with neighbors and friends,” said Dennise Taylor-Gilhen, Vice President, Community Impact, United Way Ottawa. “I want to thank PCL Constructors Canada Inc. and Ottawa Community Housing for their leadership in working together to make this project possible.”

Dennise Taylor-Gilhen, Vice President, Community Impact, United Way Ottawa

PCL is a group of independent construction companies that carries out work across Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, and in Australia. These diverse operations in the civil infrastructure, heavy industrial, and buildings markets are supported by a strategic presence in 31 major centers. Together, these companies have an annual construction volume of $8 billion, making PCL the largest contracting organization in Canada and one of the largest in North America. Watch us build at PCL.com.

About United Way Ottawa

United Way Ottawa invests resources where they are needed most and will have the greatest impact. Through research, evaluation and partnerships with community experts we are able to identify the root causes of the biggest social challenges facing our community and help find solutions that change tens of thousands of lives for the better. One hundred percent of donations to United Way Ottawa stay in Ottawa to help those most in need. Learn more about our work at www.unitedwayottawa.ca.

About OCH

Ottawa Community Housing (OCH) provides approximately 15,000 homes to over 31,000 tenants, including seniors, parents, children, couples, singles and persons with special needs, within many communities across the City of Ottawa. OCH houses a diverse population of varying languages, ethnicity and cultures. OCH is the largest social housing provider in Ottawa, managing two-thirds of the City’s social housing portfolio, and is the second largest in Ontario.

About OCH Foundation

OCH Foundation is committed to helping each of its tenants achieve personal success through education, employment and community engagement. We bring together key stakeholders and community leaders. We identify and leverage a wealth of existing resources. We maintain prior relationships and establish new partnerships. And, we do it all with one goal in mind: to empower, inspire and equip OCH tenants so they can build thriving communities for themselves, for their families, for their neighbours and for their city.

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